Unfolding the versatile potential of EC-TERS for electrocatalysis

The rational design of electrocatalysts demands the in situ experimental identification of specific surface sites that are most active toward certain electrochemical reactions. Therefore, surface-sensitive techniques with high chemical specificity and the ability to resolve nanoscale features are required. Even more challenging is the requirement to operate in aqueous electrolytes under potential control. Electrochemical tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-TERS) smartly comprises these prerequisites. To date, EC-TERS has been used to study the potential-dependent protonation/deprotonation, reorientation and redox reactions of self-assembled monolayers in contact with aqueous electrolytes. This review article highlights the pioneering work of EC-TERS and discusses the enormous potential that this spectro-electrochemical tool entails for the field of electrocatalysis.